The latest Vinny Castilla MLB and fantasy baseball news

The Denver Post's Patrick Saunders reports former Colorado Rockies 3B Vinny Castilla, who is currently working as a special assistant to Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, has been offered a job to manage the Mexican national team in the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil. Castilla is trying to first clear the move with the Rockies to make sure it wouldn't affect him in his current role with the club.

The Associated Press reports Colorado Rockies 3B Vinny Castilla, who played in his final North American major-league game in October, officially called it a career Feb. 7 when he played first base in Mexico's 4-3 victory over Venezuela on the last day of the Caribbean Series. He went 1-for-4, with a double and a run scored. "I knew it was my last game, but I got emotional when I came to the park and all my teammates came to congratulate me," Castilla said. "When the players from the other countries hugged me after the game, I couldn't hold back the tears. I felt very emotional and proud for all my accomplishment."

Updating an earlier item, the Rocky Mountain News' Tracy Ringolsby reports Colorado Rockies 3B Vinny Castilla, currently assigned at Triple-A Colorado Springs, plans on retiring after this season ends. He'll then join the club in a non-playing role and will help the team create a presence in his native Mexico. "This will be my last season, and I am excited it will end with the Rockies," said Castilla. However, Castilla also said he is going to play winter ball in Mexico and will formally retire from baseball after that. Castilla hopes to one day manage in the Mexican Pacific League. "Mexico is the one part of our Latin program where we want to get better, and his presence alone will do that for us," said Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd.

Troy E. Renck, of the Denver Post, reports the Colorado Rockies signed 3B Vinny Castilla to a minor-league contract Monday, Aug. 14, and they will activate him Friday, Sept. 1, after he gets back into playing shape in the minors.